Review: A welcome return for Harris, Crowell

Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, "Old Yellow Moon" (Nonesuch)

"Old Yellow Moon" is a reunion album of sorts that explores musical paths Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell first traveled on their initial recordings in the mid-1970s. Harris began recording Crowell compositions in 1975, the same year she hired him to join her band. They remain linked as leaders of a groundbreaking era in country music that resonates today in the work of Miranda Lambert, Buddy Miller and others.

Then as now, Harris and Crowell excelled at bringing a fresh perspective to covers of classic country tunes, while pushing the genre toward a new sound built on driving rhythms, crisp musicianship and a wide range of well-chosen songs.

"Old Yellow Moon" also reunites Harris with Brian Ahern, her ex-husband who produced her classic early work. While the album doesn't have the stunning originality of the duo's early collaborations, it agreeably recalls why their early work together is so highly regarded.